Tract-specific white matter hyperintensities disrupt neural network function in Alzheimer’s disease

Alexander Taylor; Lana Kambeitz-Ilankovic; Benno Gesierich; Lee Simon-Vermot; Nicolai Franzmeier; Miguel A.  Araque Caballero; Sophia   Meuller; Liu Hesheng; Birgit  Ertl-Wagner; Katharina Beurger; Michael Weiner; Martin Dichgans; Marco Duering; Michael Ewers

doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.2358

Tract-specific white matter hyperintensities disrupt neural network function in Alzheimer’s disease

Authors Organisations

Alexander Taylor(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Lana Kambeitz-Ilankovic(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Benno Gesierich(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Lee Simon-Vermot(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Nicolai Franzmeier(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Miguel A. Araque Caballero(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Sophia Meuller(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Liu Hesheng(Author)
Harvard Medical School (HMS)
Birgit Ertl-Wagner(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Katharina Beurger(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Michael Weiner(Author)
University of California, San Francisco
VA Medical Center, California
Martin Dichgans(Author)
Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Marco Duering(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Michael Ewers(Author)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Type	Article

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	225-235
Number of pages	11
Journal	Alzheimer's & Dementia
Volume	13
Issue number	3
Early online date	15 Jul 2016
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.2358
Publication status	Published - 31 Mar 2017
Externally published	Yes

Permanent link	Permanent link hdl.handle.net/2160/46920

IRUS-UK

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Whether WMH are associated with the decline of functional neural networks, in AD is debated.

METHOD: Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging and WMH were assessed in 78 subjects with increased amyloid AV-45 positron emission tomography (PET) in different clinical stages of AD. We tested the association between WMH volume in major atlas-based fiber tract ROIs and changes in functional connectivity (FC) between the tracts’ projection areas within the default mode network (DMN).

RESULTS: WMH volume within the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF) was the highest among all tract ROIs and associated with reduced FC in IFOF-connected DMN areas, independently of global AV-45 PET. Higher AV-45 PET contributed to reduced FC in IFOF-connected and parietal areas of the DMN.

CONCLUSIONS: WMH in fiber tract ROIs with high WMH burden cause reduced FC, thus adding to the effects of amyloid pathology on neuronal network function.